Unlocking Precision: A Deep Dive into the Burris XTR II 3-15x50mm Riflescope

Are you a serious shooter looking to elevate your long-range capabilities? Do you demand unwavering precision, robust durability, and exceptional optical clarity from your rifle scope, whether you're engaging distant targets in a competitive setting, preparing for a critical hunt, or executing tactical maneuvers? The Burris XTR II 3-15x50mm Riflescope (Product Number 201034) is engineered precisely for individuals who cannot compromise on performance. This detailed exploration will answer common questions about its features, ideal applications, and why it stands out as a premier choice for discerning marksmen.

Who is the Burris XTR II 3-15x50mm Designed For?

This scope is tailored for a diverse group of serious firearms enthusiasts:

• Competitive Shooters: Especially those involved in PRS (Precision Rifle Series), NRL (National Rifle League), or similar long-range tactical matches where rapid target engagement, precise holdovers, and consistent adjustments are paramount. Its SCR Mil reticle and robust turrets provide the tools needed to dominate the firing line.
• Long-Range Hunters: For hunters pursuing game in open terrain where extended shots are common, the 3-15x magnification range offers versatility from medium to long distances, while the 50mm objective gathers ample light for twilight conditions.
• Tactical Operators and Enthusiasts: Demanding reliability and accurate ranging in dynamic environments, the XTR II’s rugged construction and intuitive controls make it a trusted companion.
• Precision Rifle Builders: If you're assembling a custom precision rifle and need optics that can match the rifle's inherent accuracy potential, the XTR II is an excellent pairing.

The core problem this scope solves is providing a dependable, highly accurate, and durable optical solution that empowers shooters to confidently engage targets at extended ranges under varying conditions. It eliminates guesswork, offering clear, repeatable adjustments and a precise aiming solution.

What Makes the Burris XTR II 3-15x50mm Stand Out?

The Burris XTR II series has earned its reputation for delivering professional-grade performance without an exorbitant price tag. The 3-15x50mm model, specifically, is a workhorse, designed from the ground up to meet the rigorous demands of tactical and competitive shooting.

Key Performance Attributes:

1. Versatile Magnification Range (3-15x):
   • Why is 3-15x ideal? This range offers significant flexibility. At 3x, you have a wide field of view (36 feet at 100 yards), excellent for close to medium-range engagements or for scanning a broad area to acquire your target quickly. As you dial up to 15x, the scope provides sufficient magnification for precise shot placement on small targets at considerable distances, making target identification and exact aiming points clear.
   • This versatility means you’re not over-magnified for closer shots, nor under-magnified for challenging long-range precision.
2. Generous 50mm Objective Lens:
   • A larger objective lens (50mm) is crucial for superior light gathering, especially in low-light conditions such as dawn, dusk, or heavily shaded environments. This allows for brighter, clearer images, extending your shooting window and improving target definition when light is scarce. It also contributes to a larger exit pupil, making it easier to acquire and maintain a clear sight picture.
3. Advanced SCR Mil Reticle (Second Focal Plane - SFP):
   • What is the SCR Mil Reticle? The Special Competition Reticle (SCR) Mil is a purpose-built design favored by many precision shooters. It features a Christmas tree-style subtension array, offering numerous aiming points for windage and elevation holdovers without obscuring the target. The floating dot center ensures a precise point of aim.
   • Why Second Focal Plane (SFP)? In an SFP scope, the reticle remains the same size regardless of the magnification setting. This means the subtensions (the hashes or dots on the reticle used for ranging or holdovers) are only accurate at a specific magnification (typically the highest setting, 15x, for the Burris XTR II). Shooters often prefer SFP for hunting or general target shooting where the reticle size remaining constant is beneficial, or when they primarily use the turrets for adjustments and only use holdovers at a set magnification. It offers a clearer, uncluttered view of the target at lower magnifications.
   • Mil-based System: The Mil (milliradian) system is widely adopted in tactical and long-range shooting for its simplicity in conjunction with a Mil-based reticle and Mil-adjustment turrets. One Mil equals 3.6 inches at 100 yards, or 1 meter at 1000 meters, allowing for straightforward calculations for ranging and corrections.
4. Robust 34mm Main Tube:
   • Why a 34mm tube? A larger main tube diameter provides several advantages:
     • Increased Internal Adjustment Range: This is critical for long-range shooting, allowing for significant elevation and windage adjustments to compensate for bullet drop and wind drift over extreme distances. The XTR II 3-15x50mm boasts impressive travel, typically around 26 Mil of elevation and 13 Mil of windage, providing ample room for dialing.
     • Enhanced Strength and Durability: A larger tube offers superior structural integrity, making the scope more resistant to impact, recoil, and environmental stresses.
     • Improved Optical Performance: While not always a direct correlation, a larger tube can sometimes allow for larger internal lens elements, contributing to better light transmission and image quality.
5. Tactical Adjustments and Turrets:
   • The XTR II features low-profile, knurled adjustment knobs with zero click stops for easy, positive adjustments, even with gloved hands.
   • Zero Stop Feature: This crucial feature allows you to quickly return to your zero setting without counting clicks, providing peace of mind and preventing accidental over-rotation during critical adjustments. Once set, you can dial down to your zero every time.
   • Resettable Turrets: Easily reset to zero after sighting in your rifle, maintaining a clean and intuitive reference point.
   • Precision Click Values: With precise 0.1 Mil click adjustments, every turn delivers consistent and repeatable changes to your point of impact, vital for accurate long-range shooting.
6. Exceptional Optical Performance:
   • Index-Matched Hi-Lume® Multi-Coating: Burris's proprietary coating enhances light transmission (often quoted at over 99.75% per lens surface), eliminates glare, and improves resolution and contrast. The result is a crisp, bright, and true-to-color image across the entire magnification range.
   • Side Parallax Adjustment: Adjustable from 50 yards to infinity, the side parallax knob allows you to eliminate parallax error at any range, ensuring the reticle and target are on the same focal plane for maximum precision. This is particularly important for high-magnification and long-range shooting.
7. Rugged Construction and Finish:
   • Aircraft-Grade Aluminum: Built from a single piece of aerospace-grade aluminum, the scope's chassis is incredibly strong and lightweight.
   • Matte Black Finish: Reduces glare and reflections, crucial for tactical applications and preventing spooking game.
   • Waterproof, Fogproof, Shockproof: Nitrogen-purged to prevent internal fogging and sealed to withstand water immersion, the XTR II is designed to perform reliably in the harshest weather conditions and absorb recoil from powerful calibers. It’s rigorously tested to ensure it can handle the punishment of competitive shooting and rugged outdoor use.

Answering Your Questions: Using the Burris XTR II 3-15x50mm

"How do I zero a Burris XTR II scope?"
Zeroing your Burris XTR II is a straightforward process.

1. Mount Securely: Ensure the scope is properly mounted on your rifle using high-quality rings appropriate for a 34mm tube (available at DEGuns). Use a level to ensure the reticle is plumb.
2. Boresight: Start by boresighting your rifle, either with a laser boresighter or by visually aligning the bore with a target at 25 yards.
3. Fire Groups: At your desired zero distance (e.g., 100 yards), fire a 3-shot group.
4. Adjust Turrets: Using the XTR II’s precise 0.1 Mil click adjustments, dial your point of impact to the center of your group. For example, if your group is 0.5 Mil low and 0.3 Mil right, dial UP 5 clicks and LEFT 3 clicks.
5. Confirm Zero: Fire another group to confirm your adjustments. Repeat as necessary.
6. Set Zero Stop: Once satisfied with your zero, engage the zero stop mechanism (refer to the Burris manual for your specific model's instructions) to allow for quick return to zero after dialing for elevation.
7. Reset Turrets: Loosen the set screws on the turrets and rotate the numbered ring to ‘0’, then retighten. This gives you a clear zero reference point.

"What's the effective range of the Burris XTR II 3-15x50mm?"
While the effective range largely depends on the rifle, caliber, and shooter's skill, the XTR II 3-15x50mm provides the optical quality and adjustment range to confidently engage targets well beyond 1000 yards. The 15x magnification is sufficient for identifying targets and holding precision aiming points at these distances, and the extensive elevation travel in the 34mm tube allows you to dial in the necessary corrections for extreme long-range shots. Many users regularly use this scope for engagements out to 1200-1500 yards on steel targets, and for ethical hunting shots within reasonable limits for their specific cartridge.

"Is the XTR II suitable for hunting?"
Absolutely. While often associated with tactical and competitive shooting, the XTR II 3-15x50mm excels as a hunting scope for several reasons:

• Low-Light Performance: The 50mm objective lens and exceptional glass clarity ensure bright images during critical dawn and dusk hours.
• Durability: Its robust, waterproof, and shockproof construction means it can withstand the rigors of any hunting environment.
• Versatile Magnification: The 3-15x range handles everything from close-quarters bush hunting to open-country long-range shots.
• SFP Reticle: For many hunters, an SFP reticle is preferred as it maintains a consistent size, preventing the reticle from becoming too thick and obscuring the target at high magnification, or too thin and hard to see at low magnification.

Building Trust: The Burris Legacy

Burris Optics has been a trusted name in the shooting community for decades. Founded with a commitment to precision, performance, and durability, Burris scopes are known for their rugged reliability and innovative features. The XTR II line embodies this legacy, built with a "battle-proof" ethos to withstand the harshest conditions and demanding use. Each scope undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets the brand's stringent quality standards, providing shooters with confidence in their equipment when it matters most. When you invest in a Burris XTR II, you're investing in a product backed by a long history of optical excellence and user satisfaction.

Conclusion

The Burris XTR II 3-15x50mm Riflescope (Product Number 201034) with its Black Matte Finish and advanced SCR Mil (SFP) reticle is more than just an optic; it's a precision instrument designed to give you a definitive edge. Whether you're a seasoned competitor pushing the limits of accuracy, a dedicated hunter seeking an ethical advantage, or a tactical operator requiring unwavering reliability, this scope delivers. Its blend of versatile magnification, superior optical quality, robust construction, and user-friendly features makes it a standout choice for serious shooters. Experience the difference that precision engineering makes in your shooting pursuits.

For availability and to explore more about the Burris XTR II 3-15x50mm, including compatible mounting solutions and accessories, visit DEGuns. They offer a comprehensive selection of Burris optics to meet your specific needs.

Technical Specifications

Feature	Detail
Product Number	201034
Magnification	3-15x
Objective Lens	50mm
Field of View	36-7.5 feet @ 100 yards
Tube Diameter	34mm
Finish	Black Matte
Reticle	SCR Mil (Special Competition Reticle - Milliradian)
Focal Plane	SFP (Second Focal Plane)
Parallax Adj.	Side Focus, 50 yds to Infinity
Adjustments	0.1 Mil Click Value
Internal Adj.	~26 Mil Elevation, ~13 Mil Windage (approximate, varies slightly by unit)
Weight	Approximately 26 oz (737g)
UPC	000381001007